PASADENA, Calif. – Acclaimed singer/songwriter John Legend will headline the pre-game festivities at the 2014 VIZIO BCS National Championship, performing the Star-Spangled Banner on January 6, 2014, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

Legend, one of the industry’s most innovative artists, rocketed to stardom with his debut album, Get Lifted. The 2004 platinum piece scored eight Grammy Award nominations for the former session player and vocalist, who backed accomplished artists such as Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Kanye West. Legend won the first three of his nine Grammys, best new artist, best R&B album and best male R&B vocal performance, for the hit single “Ordinary People.” Two years later came his second platinum album, Once Again, with the Grammy-winning single “Heaven.” Legend attained his third consecutive top 10 album with 2008’s Evolver, spinning off the hit “Green Light” featuring Andre 3000.

Legend returns to the spotlight after five years with his much-anticipated fourth solo album, Love in the Future. Back as sounding boards and executive producers for this album are longtime Legend collaborators Kanye West, who signed Legend to his G.O.O.D Music label in 2004, and Dave Tozer. Legend concluded his North American tour which began in October on behalf of Love in the Future earlier this month.

In addition to his musical talent, Legend is also known for his philanthropic involvement. He serves on several boards, including the Equality Project, Stand for Children, Teach For America, the Harlem Village Academies and PopTech, a unique innovation network dedicated to accelerating the positive impact of world-changing people, projects and ideas. Legend also doubles as the national spokesperson for Management Leadership for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that assists the next generation of minority business leaders. In partnership with Samsung, he supports education initiatives with a special focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A 2010 BET Humanitarian of the Year honoree, among other accolades, Legend launched his own education-based organization, the Show Me Campaign (ShowMeCampaign.org), in 2007.